Wainhouse Tower

A distinctive stone tower rises unexpectedly from the moorland just outside Elland, looking for all the world like someone's architectural daydream given solid form. Wainhouse Tower is a proper oddity - 275 feet of Victorian eccentricity completed in 1875, built originally as a chimney for a local dye works but somehow evolved into a folly that's become something of a local landmark.

You can climb the interior stairs on certain days - it's a long haul up a narrow spiral with industrial ironwork creaking beneath your feet, but the reward is a genuinely sweeping view across the Colden Valley and towards the Pennines beyond. The surrounding moorland is pleasant enough for a ramble, though it's not dramatic terrain.

HistoryBuffs will find the backstory compelling: a wealthy manufacturer's show of industrial pride, turned into something altogether stranger and more charming. Walkers based at Elland Hall Farm or any of the nearby caravan parks - Hebden Bridge or Two Acre Camping sit within easy reach - could fold this into a broader moor walk without much fuss. It's a short detour rather than a destination in itself.

Be aware access isn't always straightforward; opening times seem to vary, so ring ahead or check locally before making the trip. The climb is steep and narrow - not for the vertigo-prone. Allow an hour including the ascent and views, less if you're just admiring from ground level. It's worth seeing if you're in the area, but don't go out of your way specially.